The NBA has a "new set of Christmas uniforms in the pipeline for this December, and they're likely to be more popular than their predecessors," according to Paul Lukas of ESPN.com. The jerseys feature a "holiday card theme, with script chest wordmarks inspired by vintage Christmas cards and heavy use of a cream-based tone that's meant to evoke parchment." The NBA logo on the jerseys appears in a "sealing wax motif." The jerseys are "standard sleeveless tank tops." The overall effect is "tasteful and attractive -- a big improvement over the 'Big Color' and 'Big Logo' templates used for some of the recent Christmas designs, which many fans ridiculed." The jerseys "haven't yet been officially released by the league." Although the Christmas designs were "prepared for most of the NBA teams, the NBA hasn't yet revealed" its '15-16 schedule, so it is "not yet clear which teams will actually be playing on Dec. 25, or even how many games there will be on that date" (ESPN.com, 5/13). The ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION noted the jerseys have a "very classic design, with a cursive script for the team name and a simple font for the numbers over a solid color or pinstripe distinctive of the team." But the Hawks' design has a "funky triangular pattern that is absent from all the other looks" (AJC.com, 5/13).
SHARP DRESSED MAN: In Phoenix, Andrew Joseph wrote, "It's great that the NBA isn't departing from its teams' traditional style while still tying in a holiday theme. These designs are a huge step in the right direction after this past Christmas' highly criticized uniforms" (
AZCENTRAL.com, 5/13). In Detroit, Brian Manzullo wrote, "All things considered, these look nice and festive. Certainly much better than previous NBA Christmas Day uniforms" (
FREEP.com, 5/13). In San Antonio, Dan McCarney wrote the jerseys are a "huge departure from the sleeved, logo-oriented monstrosities of seasons past" (
MYSANANTONIO.com, 5/13). GQ's John Jannuzzi wrote, "When we got word about them in the office, phrases such as 'these are actually kinda dope' and 'these are awesome' were used to describe our feelings. Can you blame us?" (
GQ.com, 5/13). CBSSPORTS.com's Matt Moore wrote the jerseys are "absolute fire." Moore: "Everything is awesome. The cream white color tone, the subdued hues, the lettering, the italic numbers, everything." The Clippers and Grizzlies jerseys "look like ABA jerseys, like the Memphis Pros are back in business" (
CBSSPORTS.com, 5/13).
EXTREME MAKEOVERS? ESPN.com's Lukas reported five NBA teams will be "getting makeovers for next season: the 76ers, Bucks, Clippers, Hawks and Raptors," but "none of these designs has been officially released yet." The Nuggets will be making "some adjustments to their lettering and uniform numbers, but their basic design template will not be changing." The Mavericks, "as expected, will be rolling out the new alternate uniform" designed by fan Geoff Case. This design was unveiled last September but "has not yet been worn." The Heat will "have a 'military uniform'" (ESPN.com, 5/13).
